Exploring some looks.

Here are some things I spit out recently. The two heads are drawings that really just explored exaggerated details; the one led to the "snooty" version of the King.

About the other--

I want to start designing the characters along side one another to see how they react visually. A screen test if you will. This seems more appropriate than designing one....then later, designing another so that it fits in the same family as the previous. This way they evolve together and maybe one can influence the other in ways I may not have imagined. Also notice the solid color beneath the characters. I started with that and built out the line work from there. Just an exercise to get the essence down quicker. But, then I got a little philosophical with it. The character with less substance (shallow) actually turned out to be the one with less framework...and the stronger character is the one with the solid, filling mass. Could be something to that.

Yeah, yeah, it's been a while. Been busy with jobs, freelance, and babies. However, I have found some time to write out my treatment. So the first pass is done. Currently getting some feedback through passing it around so as soon as it gets tweaked, I'll start drawing some more. Progress.

Moving forward.....still.

So over the past couple of days, I've started putting some things on paper; words and drawings mostly. Originally I thought I'd be posting some writings here but something keeps urging me to be at least a little bit secretive about the storyline specifics; at least until the animatic is in good enough shape to put here. I figure this way I'll get a better indication of whether the story is working the way I intend.......or not. So I'll generalize.

The story essentially is about a monarch whose constant bullying is an ultimate means to his demise.....or maybe to his realization that he should be more thoughtful of morals. I put it this way because I'm not sure yet whether I want this character to learn and thus change himself for the better, or just sit in a pile of his own destruction. The latter was originally what felt right, but I've discovered I'm much more interested in movies/stories when they involve a switch within a character's way of being. Anyway, this "king" establishes a relationship with a subculture of eager workers who agree to create something for him...an idol of sorts. The workers eventually dwindle away due to the king's peculiarities and disregard for their well being. He is left with nothing.

That's a very vague nutshell but enough to make sense of the drawings I post. The attached are some concept drawings I've done for the "subculture" characters. I guess I'm seeing them as troll-like but more appealing. I'm not happy with these but this is supposed to be a documentation so I'm going to abstain from only posting the "good" stuff. Kind of defeats the purpose. However, the simpler drawing here (color) is one I added last minute and of course, it's the closest one to the image in my mind. So it's not all bad.

Off and running....well.....walking at a moderate pace anyway

So, this will be my place to document the production of a short film that I've been writing in my head for a couple of years but just "can't find the time" to actually work on. This blog will hopefully be that voice of guilt in my mind that forces me to just plow forward into the project. It's sure to be a long road; what, with my knack for procrastination and my A.D.D. regarding any "good ideas" I proclaim to have--but if I get myself started (hence, this blog) I'm sure momentum will take over and it will be self consuming until it's done.

I want to go ahead and post the first sketches I've done of the main character, around whom this story will revolve. They're probably nowhere near what the final design will be but they ARE that elusive start. I plan to write out a rough outline as I think of some visuals and hopefully a symbiotic relationship will occur between the words and images and magic will occur. Then boards, animatic, blah, blah, blah.